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(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 17, 2011 ) West Yorkshire, UK -- Many people who are considering the purchase of a wheelchair automatically turn to the standard wheelchair, because of the misconception that it is more sturdy and reliable. This, however, is not always the case and thanks to ever-improving innovations and technology, lightweight wheelchairs are becoming increasingly popular choices for those who treasure an active lifestyle. They are made of aluminum or titanium, and these light materials make for a chair that is not only easier to transport and store, but also more effortless to propel and maneuver.
A and maneuver.
A lightweight wheelchair is more responsive than a traditional one, and provides the user with maximum comfort at all times.
Once all of the options have been considered and the buyer has purchased a lightweight wheelchair, there are often more questions to be answered. Is a chair with a rigid, folding or adjustable frame the best option? Should the chair be self-propelled, battery-powered or require an attendant? Hopefully, this guide to the types of wheelchairs available will help any potential buyers to make an informed decision.
1) The Rigid Frame Wheelchair
One type of wheelchair which may be considered when looking for lightweight wheelchairs for sale is the rigid model. Rigid models generally have two large wheels at the back and two smaller ones at the front, and are also called self-propelled or mobility wheelchairs, as the occupant moves the chair himself by pushing on the handrims, which are made of circular tubing attached to the exterior of the large rear wheels.
These chairs are increasingly preferred by active and skilled users, who can control speed and turning, and learn how to balance the chair on its rear wheels (this makes it handy to climb and descend curbs, or to move over small obstructions). Rigid chairs also have fewer moving parts and permanently welded joints, which decreases the energy needed to push the chair along.
While this chair normally features instant-release back wheels and backrests that can fold down flat – allowing for quick dismantling and storage in a vehicle – its middle cannot fold. This makes it a bit more cumbersome than a folding chair.
Three more benefits of a rigid or self-propelled lightweight wheelchair are its durability in the long run, its light weight, and its increased performance (the rigid frame transfers all the energy from the push of the wheel into forward motion).
These chairs are in a higher price range, but it should be kept in mind that there is a reason for this: they offer more comfort, as they often correspond to the userÂ’s body shape, and are very customisable and modifiable, with many features now available to increase the chairÂ’s value, such as personalised seatbacks and foot pedals.
2) The Folding Frame Wheelchair
In 1932, Harry Jennings – an engineer by trade – built the very first folding, tubular steel wheelchair for his paraplegic friend Herbert Everest, and since then the folding chair (also called the transport or attendant chair, as it is designed with the user’s companion in mind) has grown from strength to strength.
Transport chairs have four small wheels, and are designed to be pushed by a caregiver or companion, providing mobility for users outside the home or in common settings like airports and hospitals. These models are most popular for occasional use, and can be folded up easily to be stored in very small spaces, like the boot of a car. There is even a model designed to fold into a bag that can be carried over the shoulder! The easy-to-fold design is particularly beneficial for a userÂ’s companion.
Folding lightweight wheelchairs are slightly heavier than rigid frame chairs, due to the additional hardware and mechanisms needed to fold the chair, but still vastly lighter than traditional wheelchairs. They offer a lot of freedom and flexibility to the user as well as the caregiver, and are less expensive than self-propelled chairs. They are however not really designed for all-day, every day use and also have a maximum carry weight, so always check weight capacity before making a purchase.
Another downside to using the folding or transit lightweight wheelchair is that, while the components and parts used to manufacture them are designed to be durable, all of the bending and folding can cause them to wear out over time.
3) The Adjustable Frame Wheelchair
Some lightweight mobility chairs feature adjustable frames, allowing the angle of the backrest to be changed to achieve a variety of sitting positions to enjoy greater comfort.
4) The Lightweight Electric Wheelchair
If used to using a rise and recliner chair in the home, the user may want to find an electric wheelchair because it is more similar to what they are used to.
These self-propelled electric wheelchairs are much easier to use and maneuver, as they do not rely on upper body strength to move, but rather on a simple joystick that sits on the arm of the chair. Electric wheelchairs are powered by a battery that can be recharged when not in use, and are very smooth to handle. As they allow the user to keep their arms inside the chair at all times, moving around tight spaces and corners becomes much easier.
It is ultimately up to the buyer to decide which type of wheelchair would be most suitable for their lifestyle when looking for wheelchairs for sale, and itÂ’s a decision that has to be based on a variety of factors: how active they are, how durable they need the chair to be, where they plan on going most days, and whether they require the chair permanently or only occasionally.
About feneticwellbeing.com:
Fenetic Wellbeing sells high quality wheelchairs, recliner chairs, scooters, ramps and other products designed to make life easier and more comfortable for people with limited mobility. It is dedicated to providing the best prices and excellent customer service at all times. One area in which it specialises is lightweight wheelchairs, and it has a number of different types of chairs to suit a range of circumstances.
The Fenetic Trading Company
Robert Lacroix
(800) - 567 - 7618
sales@feneticwellbeing.co.uk 
Source: EmailWire.com
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